In Hoses 2:6-23 the Lord God
Himself is speaking. The subject about which He is speaking is the salvation
of His own elect portrayed in the love of Hosea for Gomer and his goodness to
her. In verse 14 our great God shows us five things about His saving grace.

The Wonder of Grace

The wonder of graceis
demonstrated in the words, “Therefore, behold.” These words in the
context refer to the horrible crimes we have committed against our God. Here
is the wonder of grace: — God finds a reason to be gracious when there is
none! He overrules our sins, the reasons for His wrath, and makes our
sinfulness a reason for His grace. Grace is for the guilty, the needy, the
sinful!

The
Will of Grace

The will
of grace is the “I will” of almighty God. In the Bible nothing
is ever attributed to the will of man but sin. Salvation is by the will of
God. Grace is caused, governed, directed, and exercised, not by the dictates
of man’s free will, but by the dictates of God’s sovereign will (Romans
9:15-18). Twenty times in this chapter God says, “I will.” And the
result of God’s “I will” is the salvation of His elect.

The
Wooing of Grace

The
wooing of grace is seen in the word “allure”. I like that word.
God does not say, “I will drag her,” or “drive her.” No. God will not have
any until He has their hearts. He says, “I will allure her,” court and
woo her until I win her heart. He reveals Himself in her heart by the
revelation of Christ’s glorious Person and work. And His wooing is effectual.
It is the work of His Spirit.

The
Work of Grace

The work
of grace is revealed in the words, “I will bring her into the
wilderness.” If He wills, He allures. If He allures, He brings his own
into the wilderness. Like a bridegroom takes his bride away from family and
friend to an isolated place to be with him alone, Christ Jesus separates His
own elect from all others, and causes us to dwell with Him alone by faith. In
the wilderness He provides for, protects, guides, and instructs us.

The
Word of Grace

The word
of grace is, “I will speak comfortably unto her.” God says, when
I allure her and bring her to myself, I will speak to the heart of My
beloved. And My word to her will always be the word of comfort and grace,
spoken to her heart. I will speak to My own of hope and joy (v. 15), marriage
and forgiveness (vv. 16-17), and of covenant mercy (vv. 18-22) and blessed
assurance (v. 23).